Emergency Alerts is a new UK government service that will warn you if there’s a danger to life nearby. In an emergency, your mobile phone or tablet will receive an alert with advice about how you can stay safe. It will be used to send a direct message only where there is a risk to life, either locally or nationally. This could include public health emergencies, severe floods, fires and industrial incidents.
Emergency Alerts are sent to all compatible mobile phones within an area of risk. They don’t track your location, need your phone number, or collect personal data. Only the government and the emergency services will be able to send them. If you don’t have a mobile phone, you’ll still be kept informed through other channels.
Please note there will be an Emergency Alerts system test on Sunday 23 April at 3pm. You do not need to take any action.
Your mobile phone or tablet may:
- make a loud siren-like sound, even if it’s set on silent
- vibrate
- read out the alert
If you have a vision or hearing impairment, audio and vibration attention signals will let you know you have an emergency alert.
The sound and vibration will last for about 10 seconds and the alert will include a phone number or a link to more information.
If you are at all worried or anxious, you can opt out of emergency alerts, but the government advises you should keep them switched on for your own safety.
If you have a secret phone and are at risk of domestic abuse, remember to switch off or put it in airplane mode or the phone will be activated with the loud alert .The national charity Refuge has produced a helpful video explaining how to do this.
Visit www.gov.uk/alerts for further information. Also available are:-
- a factsheet
- a video
- Easy Read Text from Sheffield Voices which includes information on opting out.
